The Kansas basketball team is set for another ESPN Big Monday broadcast. Here are a few things to know before round two of the Sunflower Showdown.
Kansas basketball fans have had a roller coaster ride of sorts this season. Despite it all, the Jayhawks take a one game lead in the Big 12 Conference race to Manhattan. Round two of this season’s Sunflower Showdown should be exciting. The ‘Cats will want revenge for Svi Mykhailiuk’s buzzer beater last season and his three-pointer to end the half in the one point Jayhawk victory January 13.
The ‘Cats have not lost since that set back on the final possession at Allen Fieldhouse. The purple guys rolled Oklahoma by 18, edged TCU by 5 and topped Baylor by 7. On Saturday they came from behind late to top Georgia. Point guard Kamau has been absent with injury the past 7 contests and it hasn’t hurt the ‘Cats. Barry Brown and Dean Wade are averaging 17 and 16 points respectively. In addition, Cartier Diarra, who provided plenty of excitement in the Allen Fieldhouse game is brining plenty of energy and averaging 6 points a game. He had 18 in Lawrence.
Wade was the difference in Saturday’s SEC challenge victory. The 6-foot-10 junior scored 22 in the Sunflower Showdown round one loss. He is playing with more consistency this season. As a matter of fact, Wade also scored 21 points, grabbed 7 boards and contributed 7 assists in the ‘Cats win over the Sooners. He will be a handful in Monday’s contest.
Here is where to watch the Jayhawks play the Wildcats Monday.
Date: January 29
Time: 8 p.m. CST
Location: Manhattan
Venue: Bramlage Coliseum
Television: ESPN
Streaming: WatchESPN
Listen: Jayhawk Radio Network
Next: KU Basketball: In coach Self we trust
Keys to Victory
The Jayhawks need to play one of their best defensive games of the season on Monday night. The Jayhawks are averaging more rebounds per game than the ‘Cats who struggled on the boards against Georgia. On the other hand, Bill Self’s guys typically give up more rebounds to the opponent. The ‘Cats had a 27-25 rebound advantage in the first game. The Jayhawks must do better on the glass. Lagerald Vick also had a big finish in the final minutes of that January 13, nail-biter at Allen Fieldhouse. The junior guard needs to attack the rim and use his athleticism to help Devonte Graham and the Jayhawks bring home a win.